Adjustable brace



Patented May 7,y 1929.

UNETEE) STATES migas Partnr' orricr..

JASlETtQ EDTAB'DS AND HAROLD T. HOLDING, OF CEMENT, OKLAHOMA.

ADJUSTABLE vIBRACE.

applicativa flied member, 5, 1927. serian no. 237,848.

rThis invention relates to an adjustable brace designedv rimaril f foruse in connece L" 1 tion with cable tools and rotary drilling rigs,

but it is to he understood that an adjustable brace in accordance Withthis invention may be employed for any purposes for ivliich it is foundapplicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, a strong,durable, compact, adjustable conveniently applied brace for bracing andfor coupling and bracing a pair of elements together in a thoroughlyefiicient manner.

`With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically de scribed, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which fall Within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparte r throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is an elevation of an adjustable brace in accordance With thisinvention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, in endelevation, upon an enlarged scaleand lo`olring at right angles to the showingin F igure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-8 Figure 1 upon an enlarged scale.

Figure 4: is a sectionlon line Mil Figure 1v upon an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5 5 .Figure Figure 6 is a perspective viewof one of the abutment blocks.

An adjustable brace, in accordance With this invention, includes a pairof telescopic tubularinembers 1, 2 and each ofwhich has a closed outerend as at 3 andan angle shaped extension projecting from the outer end 3and disposed at an angle with respect thereto@ The extension at theouter end of the section 1 is indicated generally at L1 and theextension at the outer end of the section 2 is indicated generally at 5.The extensions 1, 5 are oppositely disposed With respect to each otherand each consistsv of a pair of arms 6, 7, the latter being of lesslength than the former and projects inwardly from the outer end thereofat an inclination. arm 6 is formed with apertures 8 for the passage etholdfast devices to edly secure lThe :in extension to the element Withwhich it is associated when bracing and coupling together a pair ofelements. j

The section 2 extends into the section 1 and in proximity to its innerend is provided 'with a pair of lengthwise extending, diametricallyopposed slots9, 10 of appropriate length. The section 1 at its inner endis provided With a pair of lengthwise extending, diametrically opposedslots l1, 12 of appropriate length.

The sections 1 and 2 are adjusted relatively to each other and securedin adjusted position by a pair of oppositely disposed abutnient blocks13, 1/1, a pair of oppositely disposed Wedges 15, 16 and a pair ofclamping devices generally indicated at 17.

Each' abutment block comprises a rectangular body portion 19 formed Witha pair of spaced transverse grooves 20,21'

and laterally flanged at one end as at 22. The blocks 13 and 14: are adaated to extend through the slots 9, 10, 11 an 12 and are ogpositelydisposed with respect to each other. l/Vhen the blocks are employed, thegrooves of one block have positioned therein the outer end Walls of theslots 9, 10 and the other of said blocks is seated on the outer endWalls ,of the slots 11, 12. See Figure 3. When the blocks 13 and 14 aremounted in position, they are arrangedin. spaced relation, and theWedges 15 and 16 extend between the blocks. As the blocks are oppositelydisposed, when mounted in position, the flanges 22 of the'blocksove-rlap the Vsection 1 at opposite sides thereof.

See Figure 3.V j Y Each Wedge comprises a triangular body portion 23having the larger end thereof formedV integral with a'rectangular plate24 of greater Width than the thickness of the body portion 23 and ofgreater lengthl than the Width of the latter and said plate .242; isdisposed relative to the body portion 23 whereby it will extend fromeach side edge thereof, but one of the extending parts of said plate isof greater Width than the other and bifurcatedl as at 25. rlhe smallerend of the body portion 23 terminates in an inclined threaded projection26 having the opposite sides thereof flattened as at 27 for passagethrough the bifurcated part of thev plate 24. Figure 3.

Each securing device comprises a nut 2S and a 'Washer 29. The Washers2,9 are nterposed between the nuts 28 and the plates 24 or the wedges15, 16 when the wedges are arranged in position. Figure 3. The wedges 15and 16 are oppositely disposed relatively to each other and the inclinedside of one wedge slides against the inclined side of the other wedge.The projection or extension 26 ot the wedge 15 extends through the plate24 of the wedgel 16 and the extension or projection 26 of the wedge 16extends through the biturcated portion oi' the plate 2st oft the wedge15. 'lVhen the wedges 15 and 16 are arranged in position, the straightside ol the wedge 15 is positioned against the block 13 and the straightside of the wedge 16 is positioned against the block 14. Figure Thewedges 15 and 16, in connection with the blocks 18, 14 provide means forshifting the sections 1 and 2 oit the body portion of the brace,relatively to each other, and after said sections have been shifted tothe desired extent, the securing devices 17 are mounted in position andsaid sections 1 and 2 are tixedly retained in their adjusted position.Owing to the manner oi' setting up the blocks 13, 111 relative to thewedges 15, 16 and the providing of these latter with removable securingdevices, the sections 1, 2 can be released from bracing position, withrespect to a pair of elements, when desired.

It is thought vthe many advantages of an adjustable brace, in accordancewith this invention, can be readily understood, and although thepreferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described,yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of constructioncan be had which will fall within the scope ot the invention as claimed.

What we claim is:

1. An adjustable brace comprising a body portion 'formed of a pair oftelescopic sections, each of said sections 'formed with a pair ofdiametrically opposed slotsthe slots ot one section registering with theslots Vo the other section7 a pair of abutment blocks extending throughsaid registering slots, a pair of oppositely disposed wedges interposedbetween said blocks, said wedges including threaded projections andbifurcated plates, said projections of one wedge extending through thebifurcated plate of the other wedge, and means mounted on saidprojections for maintaining said wedges in set position.

2. vAn adjustable brace comprising a body portion formed of a pair oftelescopic sections, oppositely disposed abutment blocks extendingthrough said sections diametrically thereof, oppositely disposedadjusting elements positioned between said blocks and arranged inabutting relation, one ot said elements having one end thereof extendingthrough one end of the other of said elements, and means mounted on saidends for maintaining them in set position.

3. An adjustable brace comprising a body portion formed with a pair oftelescopic sections., a pair of oppositely disposed abutment blocksextending through said sections diametrically thereof and arranged inspaced relation, one of said-blocks receiving one of saidk sections andthe other of said blocks seated on the other ot said sections, and apair of oppositely disposed, abutting adjusting elements having threadedprojections at one end, the projection of one elekment beine' o aoositelf dis Josed with res Dect to the projection of the other of saidelements, the projection of one element extending through oneend of theother element, and means mounted on the said projections `to;de't-achably securing said elements in adjusted position. i

A. An adjustable brace comprising a body portion formed with a pair oitelescopic sections, abutment blocks extending diametrically oic saidsections and arranged in spaced relation, abutting, interengagingadjusting elements positioned betweenand abutting against said blocks,and means mounted on one of said elements and engaging the other of saidelements for maintaining said elements in adjusted position.

ln testimony whereof, we aiix our signatures hereto.

JASPER G. EDWARDS. HAROLD T. HOLDING.

